Footscray Park Active Open Space
Designing flexible flood-resilient sports fields
Victoria

Designing new Fields of Play in such a sensitive and high-profile location required a careful balance of technical, environmental, and community considerations.

The park sits on the river’s floodplain, so any redevelopment had to demonstrate sound floodplain management and secure Melbourne Water’s approval.

Geotechnical investigations were needed to confirm soil stability and rule out contamination. At the same time, Council required confidence that the existing infrastructure (such as drainage, irrigation, power and lighting) could support the long-term demands of modern sports fields.

Beyond these technical factors, the fields needed to accommodate AFL, rugby, soccer and cricket while still allowing casual use as open parkland. After earlier proposals for elite-level sports facilities at Footscray Park were rejected, community expectations also played a central role, making it vital that the new design was inclusive, sustainable and aligned with Council’s vision for the precinct.

SPORTENG developed a Functional Layout Plan and a high-level Opinion of Probable Costs to guide Council’s decision-making and investment planning.

Our team undertook site investigations, including soil, geotechnical and floodplain assessments, to ensure the East and West lawns and Henry Turner South Reserve were suitable for redevelopment.

We then designed a future profile and surface treatment that minimised flooding risks while maintaining floodplain capacity, ensuring the new fields could perform under both dry and wet conditions.

The design proposed a 30,443 m² natural turf surface that could support AFL, rugby, soccer and six natural turf cricket wickets, carefully planned to maximise flexibility without compromising surface quality. Alongside this, we recommended targeted upgrades to drainage, irrigation, lighting and power so that the fields could meet community needs for years to come.

To support engagement with stakeholders, we also produced clear plans and visuals that allowed Council to communicate the vision effectively with the community and key approval bodies.

The work provided Maribyrnong City Council with a clear and practical roadmap for redeveloping Footscray Park Active Open Space into a multi-sport, community-focused precinct.

With the Functional Layout Plan in hand, Council gained confidence that the site was both technically feasible and financially viable. The design not only addressed the complexities of flooding and soil conditions but also ensured the space could handle the demands of multiple sporting codes alongside broader community use.

By incorporating recommendations for infrastructure upgrades, the project set the foundation for long-term sustainability and resilience.

Importantly, the design aligned with floodplain management requirements and community expectations, helping Council balance heritage values with the urgent need for more quality sports fields.

Mayor Cr Anthony Tran said, “Footscray Park is a much-loved and utilised open space in our municipality. It is a favoured destination for recreation and enjoyment for both residents and visitors. The […] reconstruction and reinstatement of the Western Lawn will ensure it continues to support a range of community activities, […] and formal and informal community sport for many more years to come. We are pleased to be able to accelerate the program to deliver the upgrade a year ahead of the original program.”

Source: Footscray Park Western Lawn upgrade

The result is a forward-looking plan that ensures Footscray Park can continue to serve as both a treasured open space and a vital sporting hub for one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities.